FIV et faible taux d'AMH : faible taux d'hormone anti-mullérienne dans le traitement de la FIV

When you’re trying to understand your chances of getting pregnant, one little blood test result can suddenly feel overwhelming. Maybe you’ve heard that your AMH level is too low. Maybe someone said your ovarian reserve is diminished. Or maybe you’ve been told that IVF is still an option – but it might not be easy. If that’s where you are right now, you’re not alone.

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at what low AMH really means – for your fertility, for your IVF treatment options, and for your emotional peace of mind. We’ll talk about hormone levels without complicated medical jargon and explain how the anti-müllerian hormone fits into the bigger picture. This isn’t just about numbers on a lab report – it’s about what those numbers mean for your path to becoming a parent.

Let’s begin with the basics and gently walk through what you need to know – no panic, no false promises, just clarity.

What low AMH really means for your fertility

Hearing that you have low AMH can feel like someone just shut a door. But before you assume the worst, it’s important to know what this hormone actually tells us – and what it doesn’t. AMH, or antimüllerian hormone levels, is a marker of ovarian reserve. That means it gives us an idea of how many eggs are still available in your ovaries. It’s not about quality – it’s simply about quantity. So even if your AMH level is low, it doesn’t mean pregnancy is impossible. It means that your time frame might be shorter, or that your IVF cycle could require adjustments. And that knowledge, while hard to hear, can actually be empowering. It helps doctors tailor the best possible approach for you – based on AMH, age, and how your body responds to stimulation in IVF.

Let’s take a closer look at what your AMH result might be saying.

How AMH levels reflect your ovarian reserve

Your ovarian reserve is like a natural stockpile of eggs – and it decreases over time. AMH is produced by small follicles in your ovaries, and the amount of this hormone in your blood (your serum anti-müllerian hormone level) reflects how many follicles are currently developing. A higher AMH level usually means more follicles, while lower levels of AMH suggest that the reserve is declining. This is why low antimullerian hormone measurement has become a common part of fertility assessment. It’s a non-invasive way to estimate how your body might respond to assisted reproductive technologies, especially IVF.

However, AMH values can vary. There’s no universal “normal range for AMH,” and your AMH concentration might fluctuate depending on lab methods or even birth control use. That’s why the clinical utility of AMH depends on context – age, hormone levels, and personal history all play a role.

When a low AMH level becomes a concern

A low AMH level doesn’t automatically mean you’re infertile. But it can signal that the ovaries are less likely to produce multiple eggs during IVF. This can lead to a lower pregnancy rate per cycle and may affect the live birth rate, especially in women over 35. Doctors often define low and extremely low AMH based on specific thresholds, and these cut-off points help guide decisions about stimulation protocols or whether to consider donor eggs.

In some cases, women with AMH levels below 1 ng/ml are said to have diminished ovarian reserve. That sounds frightening, but it’s not a sentence – it’s information. Women with low AMH can and do get pregnant, especially with the right treatment. But the value of low AMH is that it helps you act sooner rather than later. If your serum anti-mullerian hormone concentration is dropping, it’s a sign not to wait.

Causes and risk factors for low AMH

There’s no single cause for low AMH, and that can make it even more confusing. Sometimes it feels like your body is doing something without telling you why. But in most cases, there are simple biological explanations – even if they’re not always fair.

Low AMH can occur naturally in women who still have regular cycles and no signs of infertility. For some, the level was never very high to begin with. Others experience a faster decline than expected. It’s not something you caused – and it’s definitely not your fault. What matters is understanding the context behind your results, so you can take the next step with clarity.

Why some women naturally have lower AMH

Some women are simply born with a smaller pool of eggs. That’s not something anyone can see from the outside, and you wouldn’t know until your hormone levels are tested. This is why two women of the same age can have very different AMH values. Genetics play a big part here, as well as early life factors we often don’t know much about.

In medical terms, women with lower AMH often still ovulate normally and may even conceive naturally. But if pregnancy doesn’t happen after some time, fertility testing reveals the low ovarian reserve. For women with AMH values that fall below the expected range for their age, the result is often surprising – and frustrating. It can feel like the clock is ticking faster than it should.

There’s also a link between certain medical conditions and low AMH. Chemotherapy, endometriosis, or ovarian surgery can reduce the follicle count and lower the AMH level. In other cases, there is no clear medical reason – just a natural, individual variation.

The role of age and hormonal balance

Age remains the strongest factor in how your ovarian reserve develops over time. AMH levels typically peak in your twenties and begin to decline in your thirties. By the time most women consider IVF, they may already be seeing that drop. The association between AMH and age is well known – and that’s why early testing is sometimes helpful, especially if you’re considering fertility treatment.

Hormonal balance also plays a role. Some women may have unusual fluctuations in their AMH results due to birth control, body weight, or certain endocrine conditions. In rare cases, a temporary drop in AMH could reverse – but that’s not something you can count on. The hormone is stable across the cycle, which makes it a reliable marker in most cases. Still, when hormone concentrations shift due to other treatments or health changes, it can impact your serum AMH level.

Understanding this delicate balance helps explain why hormone levels are associated with fertility – and why it’s not just about one number on a test.

“If I could go back in time, I would freeze my eggs in my twenties – not because I didn’t believe in love or hope, but because I now know how fast fertility changes without warning.”

Nathalie Wiederkehr

Can you still get pregnant with low AMH?

One of the first questions women ask after seeing a low AMH result is: can I still get pregnant? And the honest answer is yes – but it may take more planning, more support, and sometimes more time. AMH tells us about the number of eggs that may respond to stimulation. It doesn’t tell us whether you’ll get pregnant, and it certainly doesn’t predict how your journey will unfold.

Many women with low AMH have had successful pregnancies. Others need to turn to IVF or other assisted reproductive technologies. What your AMH level does is offer a helpful starting point – a guide to what your body might need and how it might respond. But it is not a crystal ball.

Success rates and the limits of prediction

In IVF, success is usually measured by ongoing pregnancy rate, live birth rate, or how many good-quality embryos are created. A low AMH level can reduce the number of eggs retrieved, which may lower your chances in each cycle. But this doesn’t mean success is out of reach. Some studies have even reported that women with low AMH level still had reasonable pregnancy outcomes in IVF, especially when other factors were favourable.

What complicates matters is that different clinics use different thresholds for what counts as low or extremely low. There’s no universally agreed cut-off value for low AMH, and AMH assay methods vary. This means that an AMH result in one clinic might be interpreted differently elsewhere.

We also have to remember that AMH may help estimate ovarian response – but it’s not always a predictor of live birth. Some women with extremely low AMH have had healthy babies. Others with normal results have struggled. So yes, the number matters, but it’s not everything.

The difference between quantity and quality

This is one of the most misunderstood parts of AMH testing. Your AMH level reflects how many follicles are developing – but it says nothing about how good those eggs are. Egg quality is strongly influenced by age, genetics, and health factors – not by your serum AMH. That’s why women with low AMH can still have good-quality embryos and even a successful IVF outcome.

Think of it this way: a woman with a high AMH might produce 20 eggs in an IVF cycle, but only two may be viable. Another with low ovarian reserve might produce just three eggs – but one could be perfect. In the end, live birth in women with AMH depends on many things, not just hormone numbers.

That’s why you should never let a single lab value define your hopes. AMH could help shape your treatment plan – but it doesn’t write your story.

Understanding your options with assisted reproductive technologies

When your AMH level is low, fertility doctors often suggest IVF as the most promising option. That can feel like a big step, especially if you were hoping to conceive naturally. But assisted reproductive technologies are not just a last resort. They are tools that can help you work with your body instead of against it. If your ovarian reserve is limited, IVF gives you the chance to retrieve and fertilise the eggs that are still available.

That said, not all IVF approaches are the same. Your treatment plan will likely be tailored to your hormone levels, your age, and your previous response to stimulation, if any. Women undergoing IVF with low AMH often require higher doses of medication or a different stimulation strategy. This is where the value of AMH really becomes visible – not as a judgement, but as a way to personalise your care.

How IVF works for women with low AMH

The goal of IVF is to retrieve as many good-quality eggs as possible in one cycle. When your AMH level is low, your body might produce fewer eggs in response to medication. That doesn’t mean IVF won’t work. It simply means that your protocol will need to be carefully adjusted.

Doctors often use a gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonist to prevent premature ovulation. The stimulation phase may involve higher doses of gonadotropins to encourage follicle development. This process can be physically and emotionally demanding, especially for patients with low AMH level. But with the right protocol, it’s possible to collect viable eggs and create embryos for transfer or freezing.

Some clinics may suggest multiple cycles or egg accumulation strategies, especially for patients with very low AMH levels. These are decisions you can take step by step, depending on how your body responds.

What to expect with hormone stimulation and egg retrieval

Before stimulation starts, your doctor will look at your hormone profile, including your AMH value and FSH levels. This helps predict how your ovaries might react. The hormone and FSH relationship is complex, but together they guide the planning of your IVF cycle.

During stimulation, you’ll have regular ultrasounds and blood tests to monitor follicle growth and hormone levels. Once the follicles are ready, the eggs are collected under light sedation. If you have low AMH concentrations, you may get fewer eggs – but that doesn’t automatically mean a lower chance of pregnancy. It’s about finding the right embryo, not the highest number.

Some women feel discouraged when they hear numbers like one or two eggs. But lower AMH doesn’t mean lower hope. The focus shifts from quantity to careful, individual care. And that makes all the difference.

Boosting fertility with low AMH

Hearing that your AMH is low can feel like you’ve lost time you didn’t even know was running out. But the next question many women ask is: what can I do about it? While AMH is considered a stable marker of ovarian reserve, and there’s no proven way to significantly increase it, there are still ways to support your fertility – both medically and naturally. These are not miracle fixes, but gentle steps that might help you get the most out of your current situation.

This isn’t about doing everything perfectly or following strict rules. It’s about taking care of your body and giving yourself the best chance possible – even if your hormone level is not where you hoped it would be.

Lifestyle and medical strategies to support your chances

You may come across all sorts of advice online, from supplements to acupuncture to complex protocols. While some of these may help improve blood flow or reduce inflammation, it’s important to stay grounded in what is known to support fertility treatment outcomes. That includes maintaining a stable weight, avoiding smoking, and supporting your general health.

Studies have shown that women with low AMH who take part in monitored IVF protocols often have better outcomes when they follow a consistent plan. That doesn’t mean you need to do everything at once. But it helps to know that your daily choices – sleep, food, movement – all play a role in how your body responds during an IVF cycle.

Some doctors also explore the use of DHEA or CoQ10 supplements for women with low ovarian reserve, though evidence is still evolving. In some cases, adjusting thyroid levels or addressing mild inflammation can also make a difference. It’s not about boosting AMH itself, but about making sure your body is ready for the process.

Is there any way to improve your AMH level?

This is the question that comes up over and over again – can I raise it? Unfortunately, AMH doesn’t behave like other hormones. It’s not something you can easily shift through lifestyle or medication. Your AMH level reflects the number of follicles left, and that number generally goes down over time.

Some women notice slight fluctuations in their AMH values between different tests. This could be due to lab variations or temporary hormonal shifts. But overall, the consensus showed that AMH is a stable marker, especially when measured in serum.

That said, some experimental treatments aim to improve egg yield even in patients with low AMH concentrations. The focus here isn’t on raising the number itself, but rather on improving the overall IVF outcome. In certain protocols, growth hormone, androgens, or antioxidant therapies are considered. These are not standard treatments and should only be discussed with experienced reproductive specialists.

So while you may not be able to change the number, you can still change the story around it. AMH is one piece of the picture, not the whole canvas.

Choosing the right IVF clinic when you have low AMH

Not every clinic is prepared to support women with low AMH. And that’s important to know before you begin treatment. Some clinics use strict cut-offs and may discourage IVF if your hormone levels fall below a certain threshold. Others specialise in personalised protocols for patients with low AMH and take a more individual approach.

When you’re navigating all the information, it’s easy to get lost in success rates and statistics. But the truth is, the right clinic for you is one that sees you as a person – not just a number. Especially when your ovarian reserve is lower than average, the experience and attitude of your medical team can make all the difference in how supported you feel.

Why not all clinics are the same

Many fertility centres report their average live birth rate, but these numbers often reflect patients with a high number of retrieved eggs. For women with low ovarian reserve, the results can vary widely – even within the same clinic.

It’s also important to know whether the clinic uses your AMH level to decide if they will accept you as a patient. Some clinics may turn away women with extremely low AMH values, while others offer tailored stimulation based on your hormone profile. Clinics that understand how AMH levels are associated with response to stimulation tend to offer more flexible options. They may be open to mild stimulation or natural IVF cycles, and they’ll explain the chances honestly, without giving up too soon.

This is especially relevant if you’re considering IVF abroad. Different countries have different approaches to age limits, embryo transfer rules, and access to donor options. What matters is finding a place that aligns with your medical needs and your emotional wellbeing.

Questions to ask before you start treatment

Before committing to a clinic, it’s helpful to ask a few specific questions about how they work with patients with low AMH. For example:

Do they have experience treating women with very low ovarian reserve?
What kind of protocols do they use in these cases?
Are there minimum AMH values required for starting treatment?

You can also ask about their philosophy when it comes to embryo selection, whether they recommend genetic testing, and how they measure success – is it just the number of eggs, or the actual live birth after assisted reproduction?

Some clinics are more transparent than others. A good sign is when they’re willing to talk openly about challenges and outcomes – and when they see you as a partner in the process, not just a case file. If a clinic uses your AMH level as a reason to push you quickly toward egg donation, it’s okay to pause and reflect. You deserve time to understand your options and to feel respected, whatever you choose.

Your next step – make confident decisions for your fertility

When you’re facing low AMH, it’s easy to feel like time is running out and options are closing. But the truth is, every woman’s situation is different – and understanding your hormone profile is just one step on the path toward parenthood. What matters now is turning that knowledge into action.

Whether you’re still deciding whether to try IVF or already had a disappointing cycle, your next move should be based on more than just numbers. The anti-mullerian hormone level level gives useful guidance, but it’s not the only factor that shapes your outcome. The hormone is helpful for planning, not predicting your future.

Knowing where you stand can help you ask better questions and make clearer decisions. And if your hormone levels are strongly associated with a reduced ovarian response, there are still ways to personalise treatment, explore options abroad, or discuss alternative strategies.

Where to get trusted guidance

You don’t need to make all these decisions on your own. Some women feel overwhelmed by data – FSH and AMH, hormone as a predictor, pregnancy outcome in IVF – and don’t know how to translate that into a plan. That’s where experienced support matters.

You may want to speak with someone who can explain the cut-off value of low AMH, what the threshold of AMH level means for your age, and how clinics interpret the correlation between AMH and IVF success. Knowing that stimulation in IVF can be adapted to women with normal AMH or those with diminished ovarian reserve may help you find confidence again.

In some cases, the measurement of AMH and how it’s interpreted across different countries can affect your chances more than the value itself. It is also helpful to understand how hormone in women relates to embryo development, or how hormone for live birth outcomes is seen in clinical settings. The details can be confusing, but you’re not alone in making sense of them.

Explore IVF options across Europe in our free guide

If you’re looking for clinics that take AMH seriously – not as a reason to exclude you, but to guide you – our IVF guide can help. It explains where different treatment options are available, including countries with flexible regulations, experienced doctors, and clinics that offer honest answers about success rates.

You’ll also find real-world insights into how hormone levels are associated with outcomes, how age and AMH interact, and why some patients succeed even with very low ovarian reserve. The guide includes practical questions to ask, typical costs, and what to expect depending on your AMH result – whether you’re starting treatment at home or abroad.

If you’re ready to go deeper, you can also book a consultation privée. I’ll help you compare clinics, explain the difference between protocols, and find out where your chances are best – not just based on AMH, but based on you.